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Telomerase works by adding repeating DNA sequences to the ends of chromosomes (telomeres) to prevent them from shortening during cell division. The enzyme has two main components: a reverse transcriptase enzyme (TERT), which is responsible for synthesizing DNA, and an RNA template (TR), which provides the sequence used to add telomeric repeats to the chromosome ends. The RNA template acts as a guide for the reverse transcriptase, allowing it to extend the telomere. This process compensates for the inability of DNA polymerase to fully replicate the ends of chromosomes, a phenomenon known as the “end replication problem.” Telomerase is particularly active in cells that need to divide repeatedly, such as stem cells and cancer cells, but its activity is generally low or absent in most somatic cells.
BNO Team